TWO boys have written their names in their swimming club’s history books after becoming the first members to win a gold medal at a national lifesavers competition.

David Ward and Dominic Hayes, both aged 14, from the Bolton Tornadoes Lifesaving Club, won gold in the aquatic incident category at the national lifesaving competition in Sheffield, which is run by the Royal Lifesaving Society.

The competition involves pairs of youngsters competing in a four-stage event designed to test their lifesaving skills.

The aquatic task involved a simulated water accident in which teams are awarded points for following the right procedures and helping as many people as possible in 90 seconds.

Competitors also had to take part in a ropethrowing contest, a swimming race in which they tow an unconscious person, and a dry-land stage in which they must use their first-aid and resuscitation skills.

David and Dominic beat 16 pairs of swimmers to take the gold medal in the aquatic incident and a bronze medal in the overall competition.

David, of Algernon Road, Walkden, said: “My partner and I were very happy that we won a medal because we thought it would be a massive ‘thank you’ to our coaches.

“I was very proud, but I knew we would pick up a medal after all the training that we had put in.”

Dominic, of Hill Top Road, Walkden, said: “We were really pleased with it.

“We were hoping to do well, but we didn't expect to do as well as we did.”

Dominic’s mum, Laura Hayes, added: “They were like little heroes.”

Head coach Estelle Jones, aged 26, said: “Dominic and David worked so hard on the day.

“Our club has never received a medal at the national competition, so these two boys are in our history books.”

Bolton Tornadoes, which is the only competitive lifesaving club in Greater Manchester, was started 10 years ago by Miss Jones’ aunt, Heather Anders, and she took over as head coach four years ago. The club meets every Sunday at Farnworth Leisure Centre.